Millenia Hope Biopharma announced a new development in the cell culture production of the plant extract Feverfew. According to the company, Feverfew (Tanatecum parthenium) extracts are used in natural medicine and the cosmetic industry. Its active component, parthenolide, helps relieve smooth muscle spasms; in particular, it helps prevent the constriction of blood vessels in the brain, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center Web site. Parthenolide also inhibits the actions of compounds that cause inflammation. However, because of allergic reactions to parthenolide, the cosmetics industry has sought Feverfew extracts that are parthenolide-free.

Millenia Hope Biopharma reportedly has developed a process in the cell culture production of Feverfew that can yield parthenolide-free extracts, making the ingredient's use applicable for creams and lotions. The company reports it has applied for a patent to protect the industrial process.

Bahige M. Baroudy, PhD, president and chief scientific officer of Millenia Hope Inc., said in a press statement: "We are elated that our R&D team was successful, in a very short period of time, in achieving this milestone of developing an entirely new product. This is a great validation of our Phytomics Technologies. Unlike Feverfew extracts that are obtained directly from plants, our extract is odorless, beige in color and parthenolide-free, which makes it much more attractive to the cosmetic industry." Baroudy added that the company has mounted a major endeavor to unravel new properties of the Feverfew extracts.